Exploring the Arts and My place in Creation

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Ancient Rock Carving Art

Alex Mathias, Misabi Tribal Family Elder,

took me to see some ancient rock carvings on his family land

bird

Cow Moose

Bull Moose

Thunderbird?

thunderbird? ancestors?

So why are these here? Do they have some deep meaning? Are they a clue for passing strangers? Alex said "picture a hunter, camped on this island, waiting for the ice to melt, so he can continue his journey. He passes the time making art, and chipping in stone." There were many types of rock on this island. Perhaps some rocks are "stronger" than others. Perhaps our artist used the very stones at our feet. Or perhaps this hunter carried with him, his tool. Maybe he used a piece of flint rock, traded with a brother from the north for a beaver pelt.

And the images.....obviously there were animals and birds and some unrecognizable images due to aging and time or even due to our own misunderstanding. Its no secret that I am a sensitive to the thunderbird. I couldnt help but feel thunderbird and ancestors themes. My overall impression is that the artist was depicting the world as he knew. These were things that blessed him and were worthy of his creativity. Perhaps in gratitide, or reverence, or joy.

These ancient carvings are chipped in stone, moss covered, created, lost and found again. Who knows how long they have weathered time and nature. Who knows how many people have been blessed by this artists work.

Art like this can be found in various forms all over the north. This is hardcore evidence that Columbus was a sham....a very bad map reader. He never never found the new world, because the new world is actually very old.....and was never lost.